Essex climbs 17 places in the Guardian University Guide

We’re up 17 places to 31st in the Guardian University Guide 2019, continuing a year of success for Essex in national league tables.

The Guardian University Guide focuses on the things that matter most to prospective students: quality of teaching, student satisfaction and employability. 

We performed strongly in several of the Guardian’s measures, including course satisfaction, value added (comparing students’ entry qualifications with their final degree results), graduate career prospects and spending per student. 

Nine subjects were ranked in the top 20 in the UK – up from four last year. We continue to lead in American studies, up from fourth in the country to second, and drama, up from third to second. 

Among the biggest climbers was nursing, where we’re up 17 places to sixth in the UK. Other subjects moving up the rankings were economics, mathematics, philosophy, politics, and sports science. We’re also top 20 for art history, which the Guardian hasn’t previously covered.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster said: “We’re delighted that the commitment by our staff to delivering excellence in both teaching and research is recognised in the latest Guardian ranking. 

“In recent years we have significantly grown our student numbers and invested heavily in outstanding new facilities for students. These efforts have been recognised over the last year with a succession of excellent results in university rankings.”

We were rated Gold in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework in June 2017, before rising eight places to 22nd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide in September, and six places to 26th in the Complete University Guide in April. For five years running we’ve been in the top 15 in the National Student Survey (NSS 2017, overall student satisfaction, English mainstream universities).

We have recently announced an expansion in our academic staff, with 44 new posts following increased interest from applicants in studying at Essex.